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| Eshe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Physical information | |||
| Gender |
Female | ||
| Species | |||
| Hair color |
Brown, tan, and white | ||
| Eye color |
Yellow | ||
| Biographical information | |||
| Also known as |
Mother (by Scar) | ||
| Status |
Deceased | ||
| Residence | |||
| Affiliations | |||
| Relationship information | |||
| Family |
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| Allies | |||
| Enemies | |||
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Eshe was a female lion. She was the mate of Obasi, with whom she had a son named Taka (later known as "Scar"). She was also the adoptive mother of Mufasa.
When Taka saved the life of a stray lion cub named Mufasa, Eshe brought him before Obasi. Initially, Obasi was loath to accept Mufasa into his pride, but after Mufasa beat Taka in an initiation race, he permitted him to live among the females. Over the seasons, Eshe helped Mufasa hone his hunting and tracking skills and came to view him as a son.
One day, Eshe was attacked by two Outsiders, and Mufasa saved her life, killing one of the Outsiders in the process. Upon realizing that the Outsiders were coming for his pride, bent on revenge, Obasi sent Mufasa and Taka away to start a new life. Before they departed, Eshe encouraged Mufasa to seek Milele and assured Taka that his moment of courage would come. After the two young lions fled, the Outsiders slaughtered Eshe and her pride.
Biography
Early life
Eshe lived in the Valley of Kings. At some point in her life, she became mates with Obasi, with whom she had a son, Taka.[1]
Adopting Mufasa
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One day, a young Taka attempted to save the life of a stray lion cub, Mufasa, who was being attacked by crocodiles. Just in time, Eshe ran up and scared the crocodiles off, then pulled the cubs to safety. Afterwards, she chastised Taka for having risked his life for a stray. Though Taka pleaded with his mother to not turn Mufasa away, she pointed out that Obasi would never accept him into their pride. However, when Mufasa claimed that he was simply lost and asked which way his home was, she was overcome by pity and decided to bring him home.
Upon seeing Mufasa, Obasi tried to eat him and declared that he was worthless. Mufasa countered that he was fast, and so, Obasi told him to race Taka; should he lose, he would be eaten. Eshe reminded her mate that, should Mufasa win, he could join their pride. The race began, and Eshe urged Mufasa on. Due to Taka's intervention, Mufasa ended up winning the race, and Obasi reluctantly allowed him to join their pride, though he ordered him to live among the females, not the males.[1]
Outsiders' attack
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Over the seasons, Eshe trained Mufasa to be an excellent hunter and tracker, while Taka was forced to remain sedate with the males. One day, Eshe asked Mufasa what he could sense, and he replied that there was a herd of antelope a half-day away. Eshe questioned how he knew this, and he replied that he could hear the slow plod of their hooves and the wind whistling over their horns. He added that he sometimes detected a familiar scent on the wind that reminded him of home, and Eshe posited that his family might still be alive.
As the two embarked on a hunt, Taka tailed them secretly. Suddenly, Eshe was attacked by two white lions, and Mufasa jumped to her defense. In the midst of the fight, Eshe noticed Taka nearby, but he simply fled. Meanwhile, Mufasa killed one of the white lions in order to save Eshe, and the other ran away. Upon reconvening with their pride, Eshe and Mufasa reported what had happened, and Eshe explained that Mufasa had saved her life. Deeply grateful, Obasi told Mufasa that he owed him a great debt. Taka tried to explain his behavior to his father, but Obasi simply dismissed him and walked away. Eshe then gently drew her son aside.
Later, Chigaru spied on the Outsiders and reported to Obasi that they had twice their pride's numbers. In an effort to preserve his bloodline, Obasi sent Taka away to start a new life and instructed Mufasa to watch over him. Before the two set out, Eshe encouraged Mufasa to find Milele and told Taka that his moment of courage would come. She then urged them to find their place in the Circle of Life. After the brothers fled, the Outsiders confronted Obasi's pride and slaughtered them.[1]
Legacy
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Over time, Taka came to resent Mufasa for having stolen the affections of those he cared about, such as Eshe. Later, when Kiros came close to killing Mufasa, Taka recalled Eshe's words that his time would come and jumped in-between the fighting lions, taking Kiros's blow across his face and saving Mufasa's life in the process.[1]
Physical appearance
Eshe was a compact and slender lioness. She had tan fur and yellow eyes.[1]
Personality and traits
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Eshe was calm, collected, and wise. She was skilled in the ways of hunting and tracking, and taught Mufasa everything he knew. Unlike Obasi, she was kind, maternal, and accepting of Mufasa, protecting him from Obasi's outbursts and ultimately becoming a mother figure to him. Her love for Mufasa did not take away from her love for Taka, whom she praised when he did the right thing and forgave for abandoning her in a crisis.[1]
Appearances
Trivia
- Eshe was voiced by Thandiwe Newton.[2]
- In The Lion King: Six New Adventures, Mufasa and Scar are biological brothers, and their mother's name is Uru.[5] However, in Mufasa: The Lion King, Eshe is Scar's biological mother and Mufasa's adoptive mother.[1]
References
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